Apparatus for applying insulating tubing on wire cables, conduits, and the like



April 1944- M. o. SEARLE ,3 7,

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING TUBING 0N WIRE CABLES, CONDUITS, ANDTHE LIKE Original Filed May 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l R 5., I Inventoris: b i;=- MrSk ZZ O-Searle y QM 3 1 WWW April 18, 1944. M. o. SEARLEAPPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATING TUBING ON WIRE CABLES, CONDUITS, ANDTHE LIKE Original Filed May 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Im'vutor Marsha/Z20. sea/we I and Patented Apr. 18, 1944 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING INSULATINGTUBING ON WIRE CABLES, CONDUI'I'S.

AND THE LIKE Marshall 0. Searle, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Original application May 2, 1942, Serial No. 441,492. Divided and thisapplication March 2, 1943, Serial No. 477,756

2 Claims.

This is a divisional application of my copending application, Serial No.441,492, flied May 2, 1942.

The present invention relates broadly to the application of rubbertubing over flexible or rigid conduits, wire cables, or other electricor fluid carriers and more particularly to the application of insulatingtubing over flexible metal conduits as used in aircraft wiring systems.

An important object of the present invention is to provide fittingsforthe cable or conduit adapted for guiding the rubber tubing over thecable or conduit when such tubing is expanded by air pressure.

A further object is to provide means for ex panding the rubber tubing inorder to facilitate the placing of the tubing over the conduit or cable,as the case may be.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character ofsimple and practical construction, which is efficient and reliable inperformance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise welladapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a work bench for supporting theflexible conduits in a horizontal position while applying the insulationsleeve thereto.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the conduitsupporting rod.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the expansible fitting forattaching the inside of a hollow flexible conduit for guiding theinsulating sleeve thereon.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view thereof, and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fitting.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 5 designates a workbench on which is attached a block 6. A supporting rod 1 has one endsecured to the block and extends horizontally therefrom in spacedrelation above the bench.

The flexible metal conduit or 'cable is shown at 8 and is sleeved on therod 1.

A fitting 9 is shown in detail in Figures 3 to 5 inclusive for attachingthe inside of the conduit and comprises a tapered head It] having athreaded bore ll extending therethrough, the large end of the headterminating in a longitudinally split stem l2 also having a bore l3extending therethrough communicating with the bore ll of-. the head.

The bore i3 adjacent its outer end is reduced as shown at M and includesa tapered portion l5 adapted for engagement by the tapering lend N5 ofan expanding pin I! having a threaded rear end l8 for threading throughthe bore ii of the head, whereby to expand the stem. 12 into frictionalengagement with the inner wall of the flexible metal conduit 8 wheninserted therein as shown in Figure 2.

The outer-end of the expanding pin I1 is formed with a kerf IQ forreceiving a screw driver or similar tool to adjust the pinlongitudinally in the head.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the fitting constitutes aguide for feeding the flexible conduit or other electric or fluidcarrier through a rubber insulating tubing 20 so that the tubing willprovide a cover for the conduit.

The tubing may be constructed of natural or synthetic rubber.

The tubing extends to an air supply pipe 2| having avalve 22 thereinwhich is'controlled by a cable 23 from a foot treadle 24 adjacent thework bench, pressure of air entering the tubing expanding the samesufliciently to easily slide the tubing over the fitting and onto theconduit.

It is believed the details of construction, manner of use and adyantagesof the devices will be readily understood from the foregoing withoutfurther detailed explanation.

Having thus described the invention claim is:

1. A guide tip for feeding a conduit through a tubular covering for theconduit, said guide tip comprising a tapering body, a longitudinallysplit stem on one end of the body, and means carried by the body forexpanding the stem into frictional engagement with the internal walls ofone end of the conduit.

2. A guide tip for feeding a conduit through a tubular covering for theconduit, said guide tip comprising a tapering body, a longitudinallysplit stem on one end of the body, and a screw operable in the body forexpanding the stem into frictional engagement with the internal walls ofone end of the conduit.

MARSHALL O. SEARLE.

what I

